This month has been really rough. Thankfully my DH gets paid tomorrow but there have been some extra unexpected bills or bills that were higher than normal, and after my trip to the store this morning to pick up a few items we are down to pennies in the bank account. It seems to be at times like this that I really miss having extra money to do with as I please. But I think I've found a solution. It all came about when I got a $5 gift card to Panera in the mail this week. I received it as a survey reward, and of course my first instinct was to hurry up and spend it *blush*.
But I didn't.
I know that in order to get out of the debt we are in, there are going to be many more months like this, and that it is going to be a while before I am going to have any $ that isn't going towards bills or other expenses. In looking forward and planning ahead, I'm choosing to save my gift card (and my Borders gift card I got from my dad for Christmas) for those times that I know are coming. Those times when I am bound to be down and depressed over not being able to splurge on myself. Maybe it sounds selfish, but I do think that everyone needs to treat themselves to something now and then..it doesn't have to be anything expensive, but sometimes a $5 pick-me-up is necessary. Sure, I could probably save something for those times, and I will probably try to do that, but I since I'm still feeling energized over slaying this debt dragon, I'd rather use it on the times when I just need that little extra push to keep me going!
One other thing I am doing today to help curb the "buy buy buy"s is to make my own flavored coffee mix. Now, I love me some Starbucks just like most people tend to do. But let's face it..it's expensive. And as much as I wanted to hit that drive thru for a cafe mocha (my favorite), instead I have decided to make up a batch of Fireside Coffee Mix. I made this before Christmas for my sons' teachers at school and I tried it myself. To my immense happiness, I found I really liked it. Sure, it cost a little bit more to make up the batch, but I can get at least 10x more from this mix than I could get at Starbucks, and the price for the mix is about the same as a venti-sized drink. Since one of my goals this year is to depend less on convenience foods and to make more from scratch, I'd say this falls into that category as well!
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Liz, it is so hard to stay motivated when the goal is huge. I think you have the right idea with saving the gift cards until you really need a pick me up. I do the same thing. Do you do Mypoints too? You can earn giftcards from there too, right now I have a Starbucks one I am saving. Good luck with everything!
ReplyDeleteYes, I do MyPoints! I love the program..even though I rarely actually purchase anything through their site, I find that I can still get a few gift cards throughout the year by reading their mail :)
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